Album Review

With the release of this absolutely astounding seven-song, 23-plus-minute EP, At the Drive-In seem to have finally come together and found the true and beautiful essence of their music. They have taken the raw intensity and power of their earlier efforts, and focused upon it, bringing forth something that surpasses anything they have done to this point. "Rascuache," the first and perhaps most original song on the album, is filled with slightly tribal rhythms interwoven with beautiful electronic tones, fierce guitars and the passionate vocals that ATDI are known for. Two others ("300 MHz," "Metronome Arthritis") take the sound that was established on In/Casino/Out and mix it with the sonics of Rage Against the Machine, without sounding redundant. The last track, "198d," is filled with so much emotion that it's nearly impossible to resist repeating it over and again. Vaya shows an incredible band moving in a direction so exciting and overwhelming that it will leave fans dying to see what they do next.

Biography

Formed: 1994 in El Paso, TX

Genre: Alternative

Years Active: '90s, '00s

Combining emotional melodies and upbeat rhythms moving at an unpredictable rate, At the Drive-In definitely stuck out in their hometown of El Paso, Texas. Formed in early 1994, the group debuted soon after with its first EP, Hell Paso, followed by a brief tour across the Lone Star State. With a lineup secured around Cedric Bixler (vocals), Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Jim Ward (guitar), Paul Hinojos (bass), and Tony Hajjar (drums), At the Drive-In continued on with a second EP (Alfaro Vive, Carajo!)...